JP7069948B2 - Toner container and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a toner container and an image forming apparatus provided with the toner container.

An image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer that forms an image on paper by an electrophotographic method is provided with a developing apparatus. A developer containing toner is housed inside the developing apparatus. The developing apparatus develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier such as a photoconductor drum with toner contained in a developing agent. As the development is performed, the toner inside the developing apparatus is reduced. Therefore, the image forming apparatus includes a toner container containing the toner, and the toner is supplied from the toner container to the developing apparatus. Further, the toner container is detachably attached to a mounting portion provided in the image forming apparatus, and when the toner in the toner container becomes empty, the toner container is replaced with a new toner container filled with toner.

For example, Patent Document 1 includes a container body (see "Toner storage container 31A" in Patent Document 1) that stores toner and has a toner discharge port, and a transport member that transports the toner in the container body to the discharge port (see "Toner storage container 31A" in Patent Document 1). A toner container including a "toner transfer screw 33" of Patent Document 1) and a transmission member (see "toner transfer screw drive gear 34B" of Patent Document 1) for transmitting rotation to a transfer member is disclosed. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-224971

If a worker such as a user or a serviceman mistakenly rotates the transmission member when collecting the used toner container, the rotation of the transmission member is transmitted to the transfer member, and the transfer member may rotate. When the transport member rotates in this way, the toner slightly remaining in the container body may be transported to the discharge port of the container body by the transport member and leak from the discharge port of the container body.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reliably prevent toner leakage from the discharge port of the container body when the used toner container is collected.

The toner container according to the present invention includes a container body that houses toner and has a toner discharge port, a transport member that rotates around a rotation axis and transports toner in the container body to the discharge port, and the transport member. A transmission member for transmitting rotation to the member is provided, and the transport member is provided in the rotation axis direction between a connection position connected to the transmission member and a release position where the connection with the transmission member is released. It is characterized in that it is provided so as to be movable along the line.

The transport member may open the discharge port in the state of being in the connection position and close the discharge port in the state of being in the release position.

The toner container may further include a stopper mechanism for restricting the movement of the transport member from the release position to the connection position.

The toner container may further include an operating member whose at least a part is provided outside the container body, and the transport member may move from the connecting position to the releasing position in conjunction with the operation of the operating member. ..

The toner container may further include a shutter that opens and closes the discharge port, and the transport member may move from the connection position to the release position in conjunction with the operation of the shutter closing the discharge port.

The shutter has a first position for closing the discharge port and locating the transport member at the connection position, and a second position for opening the discharge port and locating the transport member at the connection position. It may be provided so as to be displaceable between a third position that closes the discharge port and positions the transport member at the release position.

The toner container may be used as a waste toner box for containing waste toner after the use as a toner container for containing unused toner is completed.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by including the toner container and a mounting portion to which the toner container is detachably mounted.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the toner container, a mounting unit to which the toner container is detachably mounted, a control unit for determining whether or not the toner in the container body is in an empty state, and the above. When the control unit determines that the toner in the container body is in an empty state, the control unit includes an actuating member that moves the transport member from the connection position to the release position, and the actuating member is attached to the mounting portion. It is characterized by being provided.

In the image forming apparatus, the developing device to which toner is replenished from the toner container, the position detecting unit for detecting the position of the conveying member, and the position detecting unit for detecting that the conveying member is in the release position are detected. In this case, it may be further provided with a notification unit for notifying the user that the toner replenishment operation from the toner container to the developing device is restricted.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent toner leakage from the discharge port of the container body when the used toner container is collected.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the transfer screw is in a connecting position in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the transfer screw is in a release position in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the transport shaft of a transmission member and a transport screw in the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the stopper mechanism in the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the transfer screw is in a connecting position in the toner container which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the transfer screw is in a release position in the toner container which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the operation member is in the 1st operation position, and the transfer screw is in a connection position in the toner container which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the operation member is in the 2nd operation position, and the transfer screw is in a release position in the toner container which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the operating member is in the first operating position and the transport screw is in the releasing position in the toner container according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the shutter is in the 1st position in the toner container which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the shutter is in the 2nd position in the toner container which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the shutter is in a 3rd position in the toner container which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The arrows Fr, Rr, L, R, U, and Lo appropriately attached to each figure indicate the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively.

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a color printer.

With reference to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a box-shaped apparatus main body 2. A paper output tray 3 is provided at the upper end of the apparatus main body 2.

An intermediate transfer belt 4 is housed in the central portion of the apparatus main body 2. A cleaning mechanism 5 is provided on the right end side of the intermediate transfer belt 4.

In the central portion of the apparatus main body 2, four image forming portions 6 are housed under the intermediate transfer belt 4. The four image forming units 6 correspond to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toners, respectively. Each image forming unit 6 includes a photoconductor drum 7, a charger 8, a developing device 9, a primary transfer roller 10, a cleaning device 11, and a static eliminator (not shown).

An exposure apparatus 12 is housed in the lower portion of the apparatus main body 2. A paper cassette 13 is housed in the lower end of the apparatus main body 2. Paper S is stored in the paper cassette 13.

On the left side of the apparatus main body 2, a transport path P for paper S from the paper feed cassette 13 to the paper output tray 3 is provided. A secondary transfer roller 14 is provided in the middle flow portion of the transport path P. A fixing device 15 is provided in the downstream portion of the transport path P.

Four first mounting portions 16 are provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 2. Four toner containers 17 (an example of a toner container) are detachably mounted on the four first mounting portions 16. The four toner containers 17 contain unused black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toners, respectively. A second mounting portion 18 is provided at the lower right portion of the apparatus main body 2. A waste toner box 19 (an example of a toner container) is detachably mounted on the second mounting portion 18. The waste toner box 19 contains the waste toner.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

When an instruction to start printing is input to the image forming apparatus 1, each image forming unit 6 executes the following image forming operation. First, the charger 8 charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 7. Next, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 by the light from the exposure apparatus 12 (see the dotted line arrow in FIG. 1). Next, the developing device 9 develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 7. As a result, the toner image is supported on the surface of the photoconductor drum 7. This toner image is primarily transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4 by the primary transfer roller 10.

By executing the above image forming operation in each image forming unit 6, a full-color toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4. The waste toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 after the end of the image forming operation is removed from the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 by the cleaning device 11, and is conveyed from the cleaning device 11 to the waste toner box 19 to be discarded toner. Collected in box 19.

Further, the paper S taken out from the paper feed cassette 13 is conveyed downstream along the transfer path P and enters the nip region of the intermediate transfer belt 4 and the secondary transfer roller 14. The secondary transfer roller 14 secondarily transfers the full-color toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4 to the paper S. The waste toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4 after the completion of the secondary transfer is removed by the cleaning mechanism 5, transported from the cleaning mechanism 5 to the waste toner box 19, and collected in the waste toner box 19.

The paper S on which the full-color toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed further downstream on the transfer path P and enters the fixing device 15. The fixing device 15 fixes the toner image on the paper S. The paper S on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 3.

Next, each first mounting portion 16 will be described.

Since the configuration of each first mounting portion 16 is the same, only one of the four first mounting portions 16 will be described below.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first mounting portion 16 has a long cylindrical shape in the front-rear direction. A toner container 17 is detachably mounted on the first mounting portion 16 along a mounting direction (see arrow Z in FIG. 2) from the front side to the rear side.

A position detecting portion 20 is provided at the front end portion of the lower plate 16Lo of the first mounting portion 16. A supply port 21 is provided at the rear of the lower plate 16Lo of the first mounting portion 16. The replenishment port 21 communicates with the inside of the developing device 9 of the image forming unit 6 (see FIG. 1) via a replenishment pipe (not shown). A locking piece 22 projects around the supply port 21 on the upper surface of the lower plate 16Lo of the first mounting portion 16.

A drive member 23 is rotatably provided at the rear portion of the first mounting portion 16. A drive gear 24 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive member 23. An actuating member 25 is provided at the rear end of the first mounting portion 16. The actuating member 25 is provided so as to be movable along the front-rear direction between the non-actuating position (see FIG. 2) and the operating position (see FIG. 3).

Next, the toner container 17 will be described.

Since the structure of the toner container 17 is the same, only one of the four toner containers 17 will be described below. The arrow I appropriately attached to each figure indicates the inside of the toner container 17 in the front-rear direction (the side approaching the central portion of the toner container 17 in the front-rear direction), and the arrow O appropriately attached to each figure is the toner container. The outside of the toner container 17 in the front-rear direction (the side away from the central portion of the toner container 17 in the front-rear direction) is shown.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the toner container 17 includes a container body 26, a transmission member 27 arranged on the rear end side of the container body 26, and a transfer screw 28 (conveyor member) housed in the container body 26. An example) and a shutter 29 arranged on the lower end side of the container body 26 are mainly configured.

The container body 26 of the toner container 17 has a long box shape in the front-rear direction. An unused toner T (hereinafter, simply referred to as “toner T”) is housed inside the container body 26. The lower wall 26Lo of the container body 26 is curved downward in an arc shape. A toner T discharge port 31 is provided at the rear of the lower wall 26Lo.

A circular first through hole 33 is provided at the lower portion of the front end wall 26Fr (one end wall in the front-rear direction) of the container body 26. A box-shaped accommodating portion 34 projects from the lower portion of the front surface (outer surface in the front-rear direction) of the front end wall 26Fr so as to cover the first through hole 33 from the front side (outside in the front-rear direction).

A circular second through hole 35 is provided at the lower portion of the rear end wall 26Rr (the other end wall in the front-rear direction) of the container body 26. An outer cylinder portion 36 projects from the outer periphery of the second through hole 35 toward the rear side (outside in the front-rear direction) at the lower portion of the rear surface (outer surface in the front-rear direction) of the rear end wall 26Rr. An inner cylinder portion 37 projects from the outer periphery of the second through hole 35 toward the front side (inside in the front-rear direction) at the lower portion of the front surface (inner surface in the front-rear direction) of the rear end wall 26Rr.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the transmission member 27 of the toner container 17 is arranged on the rear side (outside in the front-rear direction) of the rear end wall 26Rr of the container main body 26. That is, the transmission member 27 is arranged outside the container body 26.

With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, an annular mounting piece 38 is provided on the front portion (inner portion in the front-rear direction) of the transmission member 27. The mounting piece 38 is mounted on the outer periphery of the outer cylinder portion 36 of the rear end wall 26Rr of the container body 26. As a result, the transmission member 27 is rotatably supported by the rear end wall 26Rr of the container body 26.

A square columnar fitting hole 39 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rear portion (the outer portion in the front-rear direction) of the transmission member 27. A transmission gear 40 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion of the transmission member 27. The transmission gear 40 meshes with the drive gear 24 of the drive member 23. As a result, the transmission member 27 is connected to the drive member 23.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the transfer screw 28 of the toner container 17 rotates around a rotation axis X extending in the front-rear direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is the rotation axis direction of the transport screw 28. The transport screw 28 is provided so as to be movable along the front-rear direction between the connection position (see FIG. 2) and the release position (see FIG. 3). Hereinafter, the configuration of the transfer screw 28 will be described with reference to the state in which the transfer screw 28 is in the connecting position (see FIG. 2).

The transport screw 28 includes a transport shaft 41 extending linearly along the front-rear direction and a spiral transport blade 42 provided on the outer periphery of the transport shaft 41.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, a pair of hooks 43 are provided at the front end portion (one end portion in the front-rear direction) of the transport shaft 41 of the transport screw 28. The pair of hooks 43 together with the front end wall 26Fr of the container body 26 constitute a stopper mechanism 30. A split groove 44 is provided between the pair of hooks 43 along the front-rear direction. A protrusion 45 is provided at the front end portion (outer end portion in the front-rear direction) of each hook 43. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 45 has a tapered shape, and the diameter is reduced from the rear side (inside in the front-rear direction) to the front side (outside in the front-rear direction). The protrusion 45 is engaged with the first through hole 33 of the front end wall 26Fr of the container body 26. As a result, the front end portion of the transport shaft 41 is rotatably supported by the front end wall 26Fr of the container body 26. A detected portion 46 is fixed to the front end portion (the outer end portion in the front-rear direction) of the protrusion 45. The detected unit 46 is made of a material having magnetic permeability.

With reference to FIG. 2, the rear portion of the transport shaft 41 of the transport screw 28 is inserted into the second through hole 35, the outer cylinder portion 36, and the inner cylinder portion 37 of the rear end wall 26Rr of the container body 26. As a result, the rear portion of the transport shaft 41 is rotatably supported by the rear end wall 26Rr of the container body 26.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, a square columnar fitting piece 47 is provided at the rear end portion (the other end portion in the front-rear direction) of the transport shaft 41 of the transport screw 28. The fitting piece 47 projects to the rear side (outside in the front-rear direction) from the rear end wall 26Rr of the container body 26, and is fitted in the fitting hole 39 of the transmission member 27. As a result, the transport screw 28 is connected to the transmission member 27.

The transport blade 42 of the transport screw 28 is integrally formed with the transport shaft 41. The lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the transport blade 42 faces the lower wall 26Lo of the container body 26 via a predetermined clearance (for example, a clearance of about 1 mm).

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the shutter 29 of the toner container 17 is provided along the lower surface of the lower wall 26Lo of the container main body 26. That is, the shutter 29 is arranged outside the container body 26. The shutter 29 opens and closes the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 from the lower side (outside) by moving along the front-rear direction. The operation of the shutter 29 will be described in detail in the fourth embodiment described later. A communication port 48 is provided at the rear of the shutter 29. On the lower surface of the shutter 29, a rib 49 projects around the communication port 48.

Next, the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

With reference to FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 51. The control unit 51 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 51 is connected to each part of the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, each image forming unit 6) and controls each part of the image forming apparatus 1.

The control unit 51 is connected to the storage unit 52. The storage unit 52 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory).

The control unit 51 is connected to a display unit 53 (an example of a notification unit). The display unit 53 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 53 displays various screens (for example, an operation screen and an error display screen) based on the signal from the control unit 51.

The control unit 51 is connected to the drive source 54. The drive source 54 is composed of, for example, a motor. The drive source 54 is connected to the drive member 23 and rotates the drive member 23 based on a signal from the control unit 51.

The control unit 51 is connected to the actuating mechanism 55. The actuating mechanism 55 is connected to the actuating member 25 and moves the actuating member 25 between the non-actuated position (see FIG. 2) and the actuated position (see FIG. 3) based on the signal from the control unit 51.

The control unit 51 is connected to the toner detection unit 56. The toner detection unit 56 detects the toner concentration in the developing device 9 of each image forming unit 6 (see FIG. 1) and transmits it to the control unit 51.

The control unit 51 is connected to the position detection unit 20. The position detection unit 20 is composed of, for example, a magnetic permeability sensor. The position detection unit 20 detects the position of the transfer screw 28 based on the position of the detected unit 46 fixed to the transfer screw 28, and transmits the position to the control unit 51.

Next, a toner replenishment operation (hereinafter, simply referred to as “toner replenishment operation”) from the toner container 17 to the developing device 9 of the image forming unit 6 will be described.

With reference to FIG. 2, when the toner replenishment operation is executed, the transport screw 28 is in the connected position and the shutter 29 is opened by the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 by the drive source 54. The drive member 23 is rotated. When the drive member 23 rotates in this way, the rotation of the drive member 23 is transmitted to the transfer screw 28 by the transmission member 27, and the transfer screw 28 rotates integrally with the transmission member 27.

When the transport screw 28 rotates as described above, the toner T stored in the lower part of the container body 26 is transported to the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 while sliding on the inclined surface of the transport blade 42. That is, the transport screw 28 transports the toner T in the container body 26 to the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 (see the arrow Y in FIG. 2). The toner T conveyed to the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 is discharged to the outside of the toner container 17 through the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 and the communication port 48 of the shutter 29. The toner T discharged to the outside of the toner container 17 is supplied to the developing device 9 of the image forming unit 6 via the supply port 21 of the first mounting unit 16 and the supply pipe (not shown). This completes the toner replenishment operation.

Next, the movement of the transport screw 28 will be described.

At the start of use of the toner container 17 (when the toner replenishment operation has never been executed), the transfer screw 28 is in the connecting position (see FIG. 2). In this state, the fitting piece 47 of the transport shaft 41 of the transport screw 28 protrudes rearward (outside in the front-rear direction) from the rear end wall 26Rr of the container body 26 and fits into the fitting hole 39 of the transmission member 27. are doing. That is, the transport screw 28 is connected to the transmission member 27. Therefore, when the transmission member 27 rotates, the transfer screw 28 rotates integrally with the transmission member 27 and conveys the toner T in the container body 26 to the discharge port 31 of the container body 26.

Further, in the state where the transport screw 28 is in the connected position (see FIG. 2) as described above, the detected portion 46 fixed to each hook 43 of the transport shaft 41 of the transport screw 28 is located above and behind the position detection unit 20. positioned. Along with this, the position detecting unit 20 has detected that the transport screw 28 is in the connecting position (see FIG. 2).

When the image forming operation is executed in the image forming unit 6 in the state where the conveying screw 28 is in the connecting position (see FIG. 2) as described above, the toner detecting unit 56 causes the toner in the developing device 9 of the image forming unit 6 to be executed. The concentration is detected and transmitted to the control unit 51. When the toner concentration detected by the toner detection unit 56 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 51 determines that the toner T in the container body 26 is not in the empty state. In this case, the actuating mechanism 55 holds the actuating member 25 in the non-actuating position (see FIG. 2), so that the transport screw 28 is held in the connecting position (see FIG. 2).

On the other hand, when the toner concentration detected by the toner detection unit 56 is less than the threshold value, the toner replenishment operation is executed. When the toner concentration detected by the toner detection unit 56 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value by executing the toner replenishment operation, the control unit 51 determines that the toner T in the container body 26 is not in the empty state. In this case, the actuating mechanism 55 holds the actuating member 25 in the non-actuating position (see FIG. 2), so that the transport screw 28 is held in the connecting position (see FIG. 2).

On the other hand, if the toner concentration detected by the toner detection unit 56 remains below the threshold value even after the toner replenishment operation is executed, the control unit 51 states that the toner T in the container body 26 is in an empty state. Judge that there is. In this case, the actuating mechanism 55 moves the actuating member 25 from the non-actuating position (see FIG. 2) to the actuating position (see FIG. 3). Along with this, the actuating member 25 presses the fitting piece 47 of the transport shaft 41 of the transport screw 28 to the front side, and the transport screw 28 is pushed forward (conveyed) from the connecting position (see FIG. 2) to the disengaging position (see FIG. 3). It is moved to the upstream side in the toner transport direction by the screw 28). Along with this, the fitting piece 47 retracts into the inner cylinder portion 37 of the rear end wall 26Rr of the container body 26, and the fitting piece 47 is released from the fitting hole 39 of the transmission member 27. That is, the connection of the transport screw 28 to the transmission member 27 is released. Therefore, even if the transmission member 27 rotates, the transfer screw 28 does not rotate, and the transfer of the toner T by the transfer screw 28 is suppressed.

Further, when the transfer screw 28 moves from the connection position (see FIG. 2) to the release position (see FIG. 3) as described above, each hook 43 of the transfer shaft 41 of the transfer screw 28 is elastically deformed inward in the radial direction of the container. After passing through the first through hole 33 of the front end wall 26Fr of the main body 26, the container body 26 elastically returns to the outside and is accommodated in the accommodating portion 34 of the front end wall 26Fr of the container main body 26. Therefore, even if the transport screw 28 is moved from the release position (see FIG. 3) to the connection position (see FIG. 2) from the outside of the container body 26, the protrusion 45 of each hook 43 is attached to the front end wall 26Fr of the container body 26. It interferes and the transport screw 28 cannot be moved from the release position (see FIG. 3) to the connection position (see FIG. 2). That is, the movement of the transport screw 28 from the release position (see FIG. 3) to the connection position (see FIG. 2) is restricted by the stopper mechanism 30 composed of the front end wall 26Fr of the container body 26 and each hook 43.

Further, as described above, the transfer screw 28 moves from the connection position (see FIG. 2) to the release position (see FIG. 3), and each hook 43 of the transfer shaft 41 of the transfer screw 28 accommodates the front end wall 26Fr of the container body 26. When housed in the unit 34, the detected unit 46 fixed to each hook 43 is located directly above the position detecting unit 20. Along with this, the position detection unit 20 detects that the transport screw 28 is in the release position (see FIG. 3), and the display unit 53 displays a notification screen notifying the user that the toner replenishment operation is restricted. do.

As described above, the transport screw 28 of the present embodiment can move along the front-rear direction between the connection position connected to the transmission member 27 and the release position where the connection with the transmission member 27 is released. It is provided. Therefore, by moving the transfer screw 28 from the connection position to the release position, even if the operator mistakenly rotates the transmission member 27 when collecting the used toner container 17, the rotation of the transmission member 27 is conveyed. It is not transmitted to the screw 28, and the rotation of the transport screw 28 is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the toner T slightly remaining in the container main body 26 from being conveyed to the discharge port 31 of the container main body 26 by the transfer screw 28, and the toner from the discharge port 31 of the container main body 26 can be suppressed. Leakage can be reliably prevented.

Further, the toner container 17 is provided with a stopper mechanism 30 that restricts the movement of the transport screw 28 from the release position to the connection position. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the transport screw 28 from being inadvertently restored from the release position to the connection position, and it is possible to continue to maintain the function of preventing toner leakage from the discharge port 31 of the container body 26. ..

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a toner container 17 and a first mounting portion 16 to which the toner container 17 is detachably mounted. Therefore, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 provided with the toner container 17 capable of reliably preventing the toner from leaking from the discharge port 31 of the container main body 26.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an operating member 25 that moves the transport screw 28 from the connecting position to the releasing position, and the operating member 25 is provided in the first mounting portion 16. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually move the transport screw 28 from the connecting position to the disengaging position, and it is possible to prevent the operator's body and clothes from being soiled with toner.

Further, when the position detecting unit 20 detects that the transport screw 28 is in the release position, the display unit 53 displays a notification screen for notifying the user that the toner replenishment operation is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to make the user aware that the toner replenishment operation is restricted, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which the toner container 17 in which the transport screw 28 is in the release position is erroneously mounted on the first mounting portion 16. Is possible.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fitting portion of the fitting piece 47 of the transfer shaft 41 of the transfer screw 28 and the fitting hole 39 of the transmission member 27 is exposed to the outside of the toner container 17. Therefore, it is possible to visually confirm whether or not the fitting piece 47 is fitted in the fitting hole 39, that is, whether or not toner can be replenished.

In the present embodiment, the toner container is used as the toner container 17 for accommodating the unused toner. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the toner container may be used as the waste toner box 19 for accommodating the waste toner. By applying the present invention to the toner container used as the waste toner box 19 in this way, it is possible to reliably prevent the leakage of the waste toner from the discharge port 31 of the container body 26.

Further, in still another different embodiment, after the use of the toner container as the toner container 17 for accommodating the unused toner is finished, the toner container may be used as the waste toner box 19 for accommodating the waste toner. When such a usage method is adopted, the transport screw 28 is not moved from the connection position to the release position when the toner in the container body 26 of the toner container 17 is in an empty state, and the container of the waste toner box 19 is used. It is preferable to move the transport screw 28 from the connection position to the release position when the toner in the main body 26 is full. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the waste toner box 19 containing the waste toner is erroneously mounted on the first mounting portion 16.

In the present embodiment, the transfer screw 28 having the spiral transfer blade 42 is used as the transfer member. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, a member other than the transfer screw such as a transfer pad having a film-shaped transfer blade may be used as the transfer member.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color printer. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, even if the image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer, a copier, a facsimile, a multifunction device (an image forming apparatus having a printing function, a copying function, a fax function, etc. in combination) or the like. good.

<Second embodiment>
Hereinafter, the toner container 61 (an example of the toner container) according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The same description as that of the toner container 17 according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

The transport screw 28 of the toner container 61 includes an opening / closing portion 62 in addition to the transport shaft 41 and the transport blade 42. The opening / closing portion 62 has an annular shape and is provided on the outer periphery of the rear portion of the transport shaft 41. The opening / closing portion 62 is rotatably held by the inner cylinder portion 37 of the container main body 26 by being fitted to the inner circumference of the inner cylinder portion 37 of the container main body 26. The lower portion of the opening / closing portion 62 is in contact with the upper surface (inner surface) of the lower wall 26Lo of the container body 26.

In the toner container 61 configured as described above, when the transport screw 28 is in the connecting position (see FIG. 7), the opening / closing portion 62 of the transport screw 28 is behind the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 (convey screw). It is arranged on the downstream side in the toner transport direction by 28), and the opening / closing portion 62 does not overlap with the discharge port 31 of the container main body 26. That is, the opening / closing portion 62 opens the discharge port 31 of the container body 26. Therefore, when the transport screw 28 rotates, the toner T in the container body 26 is transported to the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 by the transfer screw 28, and is discharged from the discharge port 31 of the container body 26.

On the other hand, when the transfer screw 28 moves from the connection position (see FIG. 7) to the release position (see FIG. 8) to the front side (upstream side in the toner transfer direction by the transfer screw 28) by the same operation as in the first embodiment. Along with this, the opening / closing portion 62 of the transport screw 28 also moves to the front side, and the opening / closing portion 62 overlaps the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 from the upper side (inside). That is, the opening / closing portion 62 closes the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 from the upper side (inside). Along with this, regardless of whether or not the transport screw 28 rotates, it is possible to suppress the toner T slightly remaining in the container body 26 from being discharged from the discharge port 31 of the container body 26. Will be. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent toner leakage from the discharge port 31 of the container body 26.

<Third embodiment>
Hereinafter, the toner container 71 (an example of the toner container) according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. The same description as that of the toner container 61 according to the second embodiment will be omitted.

The toner container 71 includes an operation member 72 in addition to a container main body 26, a transmission member 27, a transfer screw 28 (an example of a transfer member), and a shutter 29.

The operating member 72 is mounted on the rear upper portion of the container body 26. The operation member 72 is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction between the first operation position (see FIGS. 9 and 11) and the second operation position (see FIG. 10).

The operating member 72 includes an operated portion 73 extending in the front-rear direction and a pressing portion 74 extending downward from the rear end portion of the operated portion 73. The operated portion 73 is provided along the upper surface (outer surface) of the upper wall 26U of the container body 26. That is, the operated portion 73 is provided outside the container body 26. The pressing portion 74 is inserted inside the container body 26. The lower end of the pressing portion 74 is in contact with the rear surface of the opening / closing portion 62 (see the second embodiment) of the transport screw 28.

At the start of use of the toner container 71 configured as described above, the operating member 72 is in the first operating position and the transport screw 28 is in the connecting position (see FIG. 9).

On the other hand, at the time of collecting the used toner container 71, the operator removes the toner container 71 from the first mounting portion 16 and operates the operated portion 73 of the operating member 72 toward the front side, so that the operating member 72 can be operated. It is moved from the first operation position to the second operation position (see FIG. 10). Along with this, the pressing portion 74 of the operating member 72 presses the opening / closing portion 62 of the transport screw 28 to the front side, and the transport screw 28 moves from the connection position to the release position on the front side (upstream side in the toner transport direction by the transport screw 28). Move to.

In this embodiment, in this way, the transport screw 28 moves from the connecting position to the releasing position in conjunction with the operation of the operating member 72 by the operator. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to provide the first mounting portion 16 with the operating member 25 (see the first and second embodiments) for moving the transport screw 28 from the connecting position to the disengaging position, and the configuration of the first mounting portion 16 is simplified. It becomes possible to do.

After the operation member 72 has moved from the first operation position to the second operation position as described above, when the operator operates the operated portion 73 of the operation member 72 toward the rear side, the operation member 72 is moved. It moves from the second operation position to the first operation position (see FIG. 11). On the other hand, even if the operating member 72 is restored to the first operating position in this way, the transport screw 28 is not restored to the connecting position but is held at the releasing position (see FIG. 11). Therefore, it is possible to continue to maintain the function of preventing toner leakage from the discharge port 31 of the container body 26.

In the present embodiment, only the operated portion 73 of the operating member 72 is provided outside the container body 26. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the entire operating member 72 may be provided outside the container body 26.

<Fourth Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the toner container 81 (an example of the toner container) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. The same description as that of the toner container 61 according to the second embodiment will be omitted.

The toner container 81 includes a container main body 26, a transmission member 27, a transfer screw 28 (an example of a transfer member), and a shutter 29.

The shutter 29 is provided so as to be displaceable between a first position (see FIG. 12), a second position (see FIG. 13), and a third position (see FIG. 14). The third position (see FIG. 14) is set on the opposite side of the first position (see FIG. 12) with the second position (see FIG. 13) in between.

When the shutter 29 is in the first position (see FIG. 12), the first portion 82 of the shutter 29 (the portion in front of the communication port 48) is connected to the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 from the lower side (outside). By overlapping, the shutter 29 closes the discharge port 31 of the container body 26. In the state where the shutter 29 is in the second position (see FIG. 13), the communication port 48 of the shutter 29 overlaps the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 from the lower side (outside), so that the shutter 29 discharges the container body 26. Open the exit 31. When the shutter 29 is in the third position (see FIG. 14), the second portion 83 of the shutter 29 (the portion behind the communication port 48) is below (outside) the discharge port 31 of the container body 26. The shutter 29 closes the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 by overlapping with the container body 26.

In the state before the toner container 81 is mounted on the first mounting portion 16 (the state before the start of use of the toner container 81), the shutter 29 is in the first position and the transport screw 28 is in the connecting position (see FIG. 12). ).

On the other hand, when the toner container 81 is mounted on the first mounting portion 16 at the start of use of the toner container 81, the rib 49 of the shutter 29 is locked to the locking piece 22 of the first mounting portion 16 to cause the shutter 29. The movement to the rear side is restricted, and the container body 26 moves to the rear side with respect to the shutter 29. Along with this, the shutter 29 is displaced from the first position to the second position while the transport screw 28 is held at the connecting position (see FIG. 13).

When the toner container 81 is removed from the first mounting portion 16 while the shutter 29 is in the second position, the shutter 29 is held by the urging force of the coil spring (not shown) while the transport screw 28 is held at the connecting position. Displaces from the second position to the first position (see FIG. 12).

On the other hand, when the used toner container 81 is collected, the operator displaces the shutter 29 from the second position to the third position (see FIG. 14). Along with this, the shutter 29 pushes the transfer screw 28 forward, and the transfer screw 28 moves to the front side (upstream side in the toner transfer direction by the transfer screw 28) from the connection position to the release position.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the shutter 29 is displaced from the second position to the third position (in conjunction with the operation of the shutter 29 to close the discharge port 31 of the container body 26), and is conveyed. The screw 28 is moving from the connection position to the release position. Therefore, even if the operator mistakenly displaces the shutter 29 when collecting the used toner container 81, it is possible to reliably prevent toner from leaking from the discharge port 31 of the container body 26.

Further, the shutter 29 closes the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 and positions the transport screw 28 at the connecting position, and opens the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 and positions the transport screw 28 at the connecting position. It is provided so as to be displaceable between a second position for positioning and a third position for closing the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 and locating the transport screw 28 at the release position. Therefore, when the toner container 81 is attached to or detached from the first mounting portion 16, the shutter 29 is displaced between the first position and the second position, so that the toner replenishment operation can be performed while maintaining the container main body. The discharge port 31 of 26 can be opened and closed. On the other hand, when the used toner container 81 is collected, the shutter 29 is displaced from the second position to the third position, so that toner leakage from the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 can be reliably suppressed. ..

In this embodiment, the shutter 29 is displaced between the first position, the second position, and the third position. That is, in this embodiment, the shutter 29 is displaced between the three positions. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the opening position (the position corresponding to the "second position" in the present embodiment) in which the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 is opened and the transport screw 28 is positioned at the connecting position. The shutter 29 may be displaced between the closing positions (positions corresponding to the "third position" in the present embodiment) in which the discharge port 31 of the container body 26 is closed and the transport screw 28 is positioned at the release position. That is, in other different embodiments, the shutter 29 may be displaced only between the two positions.

<First Embodiment>
1 Image forming device 16 First mounting part 17 Toner container (an example of a toner container)
18 Second mounting part 19 Waste toner box (an example of toner container)
20 Position detection unit 25 Actuating member 26 Container body 27 Transmission member 28 Conveyance screw (an example of transfer member)
29 Shutter 30 Stopper mechanism 31 Discharge port 51 Control unit 53 Display unit (example of notification unit)
X rotation axis <second embodiment>
61 Toner container (example of toner container)
<Third embodiment>
71 Toner container (an example of a toner container)
72 Operation member <Fourth embodiment>
81 Toner container (an example of a toner container)

Claims (9)

A container body that houses toner and has a toner outlet,
A transport member that rotates around a rotating shaft and transports toner in the container body to the discharge port.
A transmission member that transmits rotation to the transfer member is provided.
The transport member is provided so as to be movable along the rotation axis direction between a connection position connected to the transmission member and a release position where the connection with the transmission member is released, and is in the connection position. A toner container characterized in that the discharge port is opened in a state and the discharge port is closed in a state of being in the release position . The toner container according to claim 1 , further comprising a stopper mechanism for restricting the movement of the transport member from the release position to the connection position. A container body that houses toner and has a toner outlet,
A transport member that rotates around a rotating shaft and transports toner in the container body to the discharge port.
A transmission member that transmits rotation to the transport member, and
At least a part of the operating member provided outside the container body is provided .
The transport member is provided so as to be movable along the rotation axis direction between a connection position connected to the transmission member and a release position where the connection with the transmission member is released.
A toner container characterized in that the transport member moves from the connection position to the release position in conjunction with the operation of the operation member. A container body that houses toner and has a toner outlet,
A transport member that rotates around a rotating shaft and transports toner in the container body to the discharge port.
A transmission member that transmits rotation to the transport member, and
A shutter that opens and closes the discharge port is provided .
The transport member is provided so as to be movable along the rotation axis direction between a connection position connected to the transmission member and a release position where the connection with the transmission member is released.
A toner container characterized in that the transport member moves from the connecting position to the releasing position in conjunction with the operation of the shutter closing the discharge port. The shutter is
A first position for closing the discharge port and positioning the transport member at the connecting position, and
A second position for opening the discharge port and positioning the transport member at the connecting position, and
The toner container according to claim 4 , wherein the toner container is provided so as to be displaceable between a third position that closes the discharge port and positions the transport member at the release position. The toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the toner container is used as a waste toner box for storing waste toner after its use as a toner container for containing unused toner is finished. The toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the toner container.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting portion to which the toner container is detachably mounted. The toner container according to claim 1 and
A mounting part to which the toner container is detachably mounted and
A control unit that determines whether or not the toner in the container body is in an empty state,
A working member for moving the transport member from the connecting position to the releasing position when the control unit determines that the toner in the container body is in an empty state is provided.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the operating member is provided on the mounting portion. A developing device that replenishes toner from the toner container, and
A position detection unit that detects the position of the transport member, and
Further, a notification unit for notifying the user that the toner replenishment operation from the toner container to the developing device is restricted when the position detecting unit detects that the transport member is in the release position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein the image forming apparatus is provided.

Images